Madden NFL 2003

"Are You Ready For Some Football?!"

I don't know how EA does it. Year after year, Madden creates the most realistic vision of football through superb graphics, solid gameplay and the seemingly infinite replay value. This year is no exception, improving in every single area except for minor gameplay nuances. I had my reservations before buying this game, expecting the same thing as 2002 with online play. Well, I have been proven wrong, and this makes me a very happy gamer.

I'll start with the graphics. While they have been slightly improved over last years version, they are still basically the same. You'll notice some minor touches, like players uniforms getting very dirty, and grass seems very realistic. One thing I have to mention though, is that the weather effects look fantastic. Playing in the rain as never looked better; the sky is a perfect gray color and the players will slosh through the mud. One thing you will notice immediately is the much smoother animations. You won't see players bouncing off one another. If you run into the back of someone, you will stagger. If a defensemen hits you, it will really look like he just tackled you, there's no lag of any kind.
GRAPHICS: 10

Of course, the classic Madden gameplay is back with no significant changes. The quick passing is nice, which lets you get a pass off much quicker when trying to avoid a pass. The special moves seem to work better than they did last year, I stiff-armed a defender for almost fifteen yards before he brought me down. The one complaint I have is that sacks and interceptions still don't happen very often. Even the CPU doesn't get that many. Still, it isn't enough to subtract from such classic gameplay as this.
GAMEPLAY: 10

Finally, they have improved the commentary. Al Michaels replaces Pat Summerall in the booth next to John Madden, and it creates a nice feeling. Michaels seems much more upbeat than Summerall's somewhat low-key playcalling. Another thing they have finally improved upon is the crowd. If you're up big early in the game, it is loud. If you just kicked the game winning field goal in overtime, it's even louder. That is, unless you're playing away.
AUDIO: 10

And finally, we come to the heart of Madden NFL 2003. That is the replay value. First of all, there is a great new addition called mini-camp. Here, you can hone all your skills, like batting down passes or punting into the corner. You can participate in a franchise for up to thirty years, and now you can scout rookies. If you're a newbie to Madden, or just tokens for the Madden cards, you can try Football 101, which teaches you the basics of almost every play. With the new play editor, you can make your own play, test it in Practice mode, and if it works, import it into the playbook of your favorite team. The two-minute drill is back, and it's just as good as last years. And let's not forget online play! While I have not tried it yet, I am overcome with anticipation.
REPLAY VALUE: 10

BUY/RENT: Any self-respecting PS2 owner out there should buy this game immediately. If you have never played a football game, or don't like football games, please give it a rent at least. This game has hours upon hours of value, I'll probably still be playing this when November rolls around. Any game that lasts three months without losing it's luster has to be pretty good. So, go buy this game now! I guarantee will fall in love with it and become hopelessly addicted.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 08/15/02, Updated 08/15/02